Taipei: Air quality across Taiwan is expected to worsen from a yellow "moderate" level to an orange "unhealthy for sensitive groups" level starting Monday evening as pollutants float south from China, the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) said. An orange alert indicates that sensitive groups could experience health effects, though other individuals are unlikely to be affected, according to the MOENV website.

According to Focus Taiwan, people with heart, respiratory, and cardiovascular problems, along with children, teenagers, and older adults, are advised by the ministry to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities. The MOENV stated that air quality in central and northern Taiwan is expected to gradually improve by Tuesday afternoon as the impact of pollutants eases.

The ministry further noted that southern Taiwan may remain under an orange alert level until Friday due to its location in a downwind area with weaker wind speed. In a press release, the MOENV reported that haze pollution was observed Sunday in parts of China from Shandong Province to Shanghai, where fine particulate matter (PM2.5) recorded hourly concentration levels of about 70 to 180 micrograms per cubic meter.

The ministry highlighted that PM2.5 hourly concentration in northern Taiwan could reach 30 to 50 micrograms per cubic meter as the polluted air moves in. The MOENV indicated that air quality could improve to a yellow "moderate" level on Saturday if the northeasterly monsoon strengthens and no additional pollutants arrive from overseas.